A little about why I’m doing this and how to start your
journey
I’m a first time surrogate in California! I first embarked on this journey in Feb of 2013, while
eating dinner with my daughters (2 years old at the time) at the kitchen table.
I was trying to get them to eat their veggies and they kept making silly faces
at me. One stuck out her tongue, the other made a blowfish face, then one threw
a pea at me and the other made crossed eyes. I laughed until I cried and took
in the moment. The first thought that came to my mind is that I hope everyone
gets a chance to experience times like this. I immediately began to think of
how grateful I am for my healthy daughters and thought of those who aren’t so
lucky. That evening I went online and began to research surrogacy to see if I would
be a viable candidate.
First stop, the doctor’s office. I love my OB and
wanted his opinion, not on surrogacy but rather if he thinks my body would be a
good vessel. He told me I am healthy and now would be an optimal time to have
kids, he also let me know I can’t expect the same extremely smooth and rather
perfect pregnancy I had with my twins 3 years prior.
Second step, contacting an agency. I simply went on
google found one near me with good ratings. The agency had me complete a
profile with photos, provide detailed records re my last pregnancy, provide
detailed health records, take a 500 question psych questionnaire and complete a
session with a psychiatrist. Once we were given the green light I was ready to
be matched. Some agencies wait until you’re matched to do the psych.
The matching process. They want mutual matches, so
they will send you the profiles of IP’s that have chosen your file to read and
if you are comfortable then you go forward. I was sent 3 profiles in the first
week. This was important to me as I’m doing for the journey and hoping to get
the most out of the experience. I didn’t feel I was the right candidate for the
first 2, but absolutely fell in love with the 3rd profile. I cried
when reading their story and immediately wrote my agency back letting them know
I’m in!
Contracting. This was pretty easy I had a contract
provided to me and being so new to this didn’t really know what to look for. I
pretty much read over the restrictions and signed on the dotted line. I’m very
thankful for all parties involved in this as I’ve heard nightmare stories from
others re things that weren’t included and should have been. (BLOG on
Contracting to come).
Egg retrieval. This varies depending on whether the Intended
Parents are going to do a fresh cycle or frozen. We did frozen so my Intended Mother first
had to go through her process of medication.
Exam time. Next step is to get cleared by the doctor at
the Fertility Clinic who will be administering and seeing this process through.
Unfortunately on my first appointment they found a cyst on my ovary, I was
denied on the spot, and told once removed they can re-evaluate. This was devastating
to me. I felt like I had let down this awesome couple, which they had put their
faith in me and I blew it.
Surgery: I immediately went to my OB who referred me
to the surgeon, neither of which recommended me having it removed. The surgeon said
if I go through the surgery I should remove my whole ovary. Over the next week I put together a list of
questions for both my OB and the Fertility doctor, you can still be a surrogate
with one ovary. I decided to move forward with the surgery and asked the doc to
do everything possible to save both ovaries… it was a success J
Exam time #2. A month later I went back to the FC
where I was given the go to start meds!
Meds. Every doctor is different. One thing I can
assure you is that you will be injecting something into your body! I didn’t
really question what they prescribed, they do this for a living so I’ll take
their word. I started out on birth control, then was on Lupron (an easy daily
injection) for 2 weeks. I was so glad when this ended because it gave me
headaches. After exam 3 I started Del Estrogen, 2 x ouch! After exam 3 I started
progesterone, daily ouch. I will add a blog re how to give injections and what I’ve
found to be helpful
Exam #3 & #4. These were 5 minute appointments to see how my body
had been taking in the medications, make sure I wasn’t ovulating and check to
see if my lining was thick enough. At the last lining check they want your
lining to be at least a 7.
Transfer Day. Transfer was a week after my last lining
check 7/17, and was amazing. My IP’s were in the room and got to watch it
happen on the monitor. Everyone is different however I feel this is their
journey and want them to be able to experience every step to the fullest.
Beta. Beta is a blood test done, generally around 9
days after transfer , which measures the level of hCG in your system. They
generally like to see numbers over 50 for the first test, although I’ve heard
of a successful pregnancy that started with a 13. The next Beta is 2 days after
where they want to see the numbers at least duplicate. SO… That’s where I am
right now I have Beta #1 on Monday J
When I started my journey I was a little lost and didn’t
have much direction so I hope this was helpful!
XOXO
FiestyMomma
